The Junkanoo Rush

The Junkanoo Rush

Nassau, Bahamas

intro background Lights

When clocks strike midnight, and Christmas turns into Boxing Day, Bahamian families head for Bay Street.

Junkanoo
is calling

Logo decoration Logo decoration next
Woman on a custome
Logo decoration petal

This moment of passion and parade has been months in the making, months of work for bragging rights about whose performance story is best. The towering costumes of lively colours, the joyous chants and cheers, goatskin drums, trumpeting horns and cowbells dancing through the streets as Bahamians of all ages jump up and root for longstanding family loyalties.

A World Class
Work of Art That
You Dance In

junkanoo festivals background

Junkanoo brings out the colour inside of every Bahamian. For months they work, creating costumes, rehearsing dances, practising music routines. All of it building to competition on Boxing Day. And make no mistake, the sweat and sacrifice isn't work. No, this is all passion stirring a pot of playful contention between families and friends.

junkanoo festivals
Bahamas logo petal

Months before the Junkanoo Festival, artists and craftsmen imagine their costumes, planning and sketching, then sculpting, painting and assembling wildly wonderful works of art from the simplest of materials: cardboard.

Conch Shells,
Cowbells
& Drums

An empty conch shell, a drum made from calfskin, heated and stretched, and cowbells soldered together from scraps of iron, these are the instruments that have historically defined Junkanoo music.

The artist & the historian

Nassau - locals vimeo

If you want to learn more about Junkanoo, there are two places in Nassau that offer incredibly enriching cultural experiences. And two people who will forever inspire you.

Decoration for artists
Decoration for festivals
Decoration
Decoration for artists last
Arlene Photograph

Arlene Nash
Ferguson

Keep Reading

Educulture
Junkanoo Museum

The museum is her childhood home, and she welcomes you into it as if you were one of her childhood friends. Arlene’s passion for Junkanoo is intoxicating. Her deep knowledge of Junkanoo history paired with her own personal narrative paints more than a picture, it brings Junkanoo to life. As she leads you on a tour of her childhood home, you’ll be able to see and touch grand costumes from past festivals, some she’s even worn herself. One moment you’ll be standing in her living room, the next you're transported to Bay Street at midnight, not sure if the beat of the drum is coming from the other room, or somewhere deep in your heart.

Barabas Photograph

Barabas
Woodside

Keep Reading

Junkanoo World
Museum & Arts Centre

A musician from childhood, but a teacher now, Barabas’ Junkanoo World (part museum, part Junkanoo workshop, part educational centre) is a uniquely immersive space where you can see costumes and sculptures from Junkanoo days of old, or watch craftsman build drums and fashion cowbells. At any moment, Barabas and his eclectic group of friends may break into an impromptu Junkanoo jam session.

Nassau & Paradise Island

small map showing island location
map of island - desktop view
map of island - mobile view
Nassau
NAS
Paradise Island
Downtown Nassau
Alessia-icon-close
nassau paradiseisland nassau map

Nassau

The country’s capital city, located in New Providence island, Nassau boasts the country’s largest and busiest Ports of Entry: the Lynden Pindling International Airport and its Cruise Port. 

nassau lynden pindling international airport nas

Lynden Pindling International Airport

The primary gateway to The Bahamas for international travellers, the Lynden Pindling International Airport is the largest and busiest in the country, located in New Providence island. The airport offers US Border Preclearance facilities.

Find a Flight
paradiseisland marina atlantis

Paradise Island

Connected to Nassau by bridge, Paradise Island is the site of numerous hotels and some of the island’s most famous beaches.

nassau downtown

Downtown Nassau

Explore a modern downtown full of personality, where mural-painted streets highlight modern Bahamian creativity alongside historic landmarks and world-class dining opportunities.

JUNKANOO FESTIVALS
Let's Go
DISCOVER NASSAU & PARADISE ISLAND
Let's Go
Bahamas Petals

Discover Your Next Adventure

All
All The ExumasCat IslandThe BahamasFreeportBiminiNassauThe AbacosAndrosEleuthera & Harbour IslandNassau & Paradise Island
a man and woman eating food
The Exumas

A Family Business

Let's Go
a man holding a wood fish
The Exumas

Chopped and Chiseled

Let's Go
a large green field
Cat Island

The Highest Point

Let's Go
a man and a woman holding straw hats and baskets
Cat Island

Family Heirlooms

Let's Go
a group of men playing drums on a beach 424x389px
The Bahamas

An Island Rhythm

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
The Exumas

The Winds of Tradition

Let's Go
man and women hiking looking out to the ocean   424x389px
The Exumas

Island Delights

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Cat Island

An Open Invitation

Let's Go
DPM and family on beach  424x389px
The Exumas

Protecting What's Home

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Freeport

The King of Conch

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Freeport

Preserving a Natural Treasure

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Bimini

Wild, Wild Dolphins

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Cat Island

Sweet Cat Island

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Bimini

Poetry in Stone

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px dive freeport
Freeport

A World of Wonder

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Nassau

An Artful
Generation

Let's Go
Man swimming with Stingrays
Freeport

Secrets of the West End

Let's Go
John watlings rum
Nassau

SPIRITED ENDEAVOURS

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Bimini

A Boater's Summer Fling

Let's Go
discover your next adventure   424x389px
Nassau

A Culinary Revolution

Let's Go
discover your next adventure quad
Nassau

In True Bahamian Fashion

Let's Go
sea plane flying over clear waters
The Bahamas

Islands On The Fly

Let's Go
Man working on a wood carving
The Abacos

The Albury Family

Let's Go
Man Holding Bronze Sculpture sea turtle
The Abacos

Where The Artists Gather

Let's Go
discover your next adventure quad
The Abacos

Fishing For The Big Catch

Let's Go
Mary Fly Fishing Guide
Andros

A Fly Fishing Dream

Let's Go
bmot stories squarebahamas beats

Bahamas BEATS

Let's Go
bmot stories square learn to dive 5fb5a65cf37d9
Andros

Exploring a Deep-Sea Frontier

Let's Go
bmot stories squaremeetladydi 2
Eleuthera & Harbour Island

Lady of the Pineapple Fields

Let's Go
exuma exumacays
The Exumas

Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park

Let's Go
eleuthera islandhopping
Eleuthera & Harbour Island

An Island Hopping Story

Let's Go
andros androsia
Andros

Androsia Hand Made Batik

Let's Go
abacos lastlight
The Abacos

The Last Light of Its Kind

Let's Go
exumas lifetime
The Exumas

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Day

Let's Go
bmot stories squaresurfers beach
Eleuthera & Harbour Island

The Hidden Coast

Let's Go
discover slider people
Nassau & Paradise Island

People to People Experience

Let's Go
bmot discover your adventure you and me
The Exumas

You & Me Between the Cays

Let's Go
nassau conchshack
Nassau & Paradise Island

The Conch Shacks

Let's Go
andros holes
Andros

An Island Full of Holes

Let's Go
bmot stories squaresomething blue
The Bahamas

Something Blue, A Sandbar Wedding

Let's Go
bmot stories squarea garden of marvel
Nassau & Paradise Island

A Garden of Marvel

Let's Go
bmot culture fishfry
Nassau & Paradise Island

All Day Fish Fry

Let's Go
bmot stories squaredowntown nassau
Nassau & Paradise Island

This is Nassau

Let's Go
eleuthera queenhighway
Eleuthera & Harbour Island

Naturally Majestic Queen's Highway

Let's Go
eleuthera dunmore
Eleuthera & Harbour Island

A Race Across Dunmore

Let's Go
bmot stories square10 boating tips
The Bahamas

Top 10 Boating Tips

Let's Go